Using less plastic when travelling + a Giveaway

Around this time last year, I watched a documentary called War on Waste. It opened my eyes and I was shocked to find Australia is one of the most wasteful countries in the developed world.

Plastic bags, straws, takeaway containers and bottles break up, not break down. This means that are becoming a permanent pollution. Lots of plastic ends up in the ocean and scientists predict there will be more tonnes of plastic than tonnes of fish by 2050.

Since watching War on Waste I have been doing my bit to cut down on single-use plastics. My family is changing their habits so we can protect our environment for my children and future generations.

I noticed that when we are travelling or camping I was going for the easiest option and not being mindful about reducing our plastic use. So, I am making more of an effort to cut down on single-use plastics. I want to share with you a few of the things we have been doing to reduce our carbon footprint.

Here are some eco-friendly products perfect for travelling. Or for any day use really!

Reusable Coffee Cup

Like most Aussies, I have an obsession with coffee! I usually get my coffee to go and I never realised that takeaway coffee cups could not be recycled. A Reusable Coffee Cup is the perfect solution to get your coffee on the go plus many Coffee Shops actually give you a discount when you bring your own cup! Find reusable coffee cups here.

Reusable Drink Bottle

Contigo Water bottle

It is estimated that 38 billion disposable water bottles end up in landfill each year! Crazy isn’t it? Stop buying single-use plastic water bottles and carry your own reusable drink bottle with you. Find reusable drink bottles here.

Bamboo Toothbrush

If you put your toothbrush in the household recycling bin it will end up in landfill. Using a bamboo toothbrush is a simple solution to reducing the 30 million plastic toothbrushes that are disposed of annually in Australia. Find bamboo toothbrushes here.

Reusable Cutlery

We have cutlery in the back of our 4wd so we are ready to eat while we are out touring. I also have a cutlery set in my handbag, this way I can grab a bite whenever my tummy rumbles and refuse plastic cutlery. By refusing single-use plastic cutlery it means less waste in landfill. Find reusable cutlery here.

Eco-Friendly Shampoo

Dindi natural shampoo soap in a tin

Ditch the liquid shampoo plastic bottles and use an Eco-Friendly Shampoo. A shampoo bar is ideal for travelling as saves space and can also be used as a body wash. It is a win, win! Find eco-friendly shampoo here.

Reusable Straws

Say no to plastic straws, go without or carry your own reusable straw with you. Every time you use a reusable straw it is one less plastic straw ending up in landfill. Find reusable straws here.

Reusable Shopping Bags

Take your own shopping bags with you whenever you are hitting the shops or market. Going sightseeing? Throw a few reusable shopping bags in your backpack or handbag just in case you can not resist the urge to pick up a souvenir or two on your travels. Find reusable bags here.

Giveaway

Thanks to Biome Eco Storesyou can win some fantastic products to help you avoid single-use plastics.

Such a good post and I know some younger people in my family are paying attention to the war on waste. They picked up plastic from a pocket of water/grasses on a reserve near our house saying “these are 3 we save from the sea” and put them in the appropriate bin at our place.

Thank you for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week’s optional prompt is “If I Could” Denyse x

Something I’ve been agonising over is our use of water when free camping. We carry a slab of bottled water in the car as we don’t trust our van water tanks for drinking use. I won’t rest until I’ve found a better safe solution.

I’ve seen heaps of great collapsible water bottles and I’ve been meaning to buy one for travelling. I think it’d make such a big difference when you think of how many bottles of water you’d go through on a summer holiday. #LifeThisWeek

I had never seen the bamboo toothbrushes before. Some great ideas here and well done to you and your family for doing your bit. It’s awful to think of how much permanent pollution could be avoided! #TeamLovinLife

Lots of really good suggestions and products here Anne. We are pretty good in our household but there is always more we can do. I use an electric toothbrush but still plastic alhough at least I am only throwing away the head not the whole brush. So many things to address and don’t start me on what I see at the supermarket!

There is certainly lots we can do each of us to help with the war on waste. It can be a bit more difficult on holidays, but there are certainly ways. I’m interested in those bamboo toothbrushes, as I have never heard of them. Have a great weekend ahead and thank you for stopping by my blog this week.

Great post, and very timely. It’s even harder in the US not to use plastic. You need to speak up and refuse the plastic grocery bags for example, and then they look at you funny in most stores. Still. I’ve been using my own for years, but it’s more of a challenge when we travel. You offered some great options here.